European Fire Classification (EN 2)

The EN 2 standard was developed to create a single, coherent system for fire classification within the European Union, replacing a patchwork of different national normes. This harmonization was crucial for the single market, ensuring that a fire extinguisher manufactured in one country would be understood and accepted in another.

The most significant departure from the American NFPA system is the treatment of electrical and gaseous fires. In EN 2, Class C is exclusively for fires involving flammable gases like propane, butane, or natural gas. This recognizes the unique hazard they present, as extinguishing the flame without stopping the gas leak can lead to the formation of an explosive gas cloud. The proper procedure is to isolate the gas supply first.

Fires involving electricity are not given their own class. The European rationale is that electricity is an ignition source, not a fuel. The fire itself involves the material that is burning, such as the plastic insulation on a wire (Class A). Therefore, an extinguisher is rated for its suitability for use on live electrical equipment (indicated on the label, often up to 1000V), but the fire is classified by its fuel. This approach is considered more technically precise, as once the power is cut, the fire’s fundamental nature is simply that of its burning material.

Class F for cooking fats is equivalent to the American Class K, addressing the specific challenges of high-temperature grease fires.